This article describes possible side effects of nebivolol oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about nebivolol, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Nebivolol oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Bystolic.
More common side effects of nebivolol
Nebivolol oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of nebivolol oral tablet include:
- headache
- fatigue (low energy)
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- nausea
Mild side effects of nebivolol
Nebivolol may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of nebivolol oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- headache
- fatigue (low energy)
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- nausea
- skin rash
- swelling of legs or feet due to fluid retention
- weakness
- feeling short of breath
- mild allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of nebivolol in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with nebivolol oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Nebivolol oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of nebivolol
Nebivolol may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from nebivolol oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with nebivolol.
Serious side effects of nebivolol oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about these side effects, see the “Side effects of nebivolol in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with nebivolol oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
‡ This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
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Common questions about side effects of nebivolol
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of nebivolol oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can nebivolol 5 mg cause fewer side effects than nebivolol 10 mg?
Possibly. In general, a lower dose of a drug is less likely to cause side effects compared with a higher dose.
In studies of nebivolol, most side effects were more common in people taking the 10 milligrams (mg) or 20 mg dose compared with the 5 mg dose. However, this was not the case for every side effect. For example, headache was more common in people taking a 5 mg nebivolol dose compared with the 10 mg dose.
Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have additional questions about your risk for side effects based on your nebivolol dose.
Is impotence a side effect of nebivolol?
Yes, nebivolol can cause impotence (erectile dysfunction). This side effect has been reported since nebivolol was approved, but it’s unclear how often this has happened. Erectile dysfunction is a known side effect of beta-blocker drugs, including nebivolol.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that high blood pressure can also cause erectile dysfunction. (Nebivolol is prescribed to treat high blood pressure.)
Talk with your doctor if you experience erectile dysfunction while taking nebivolol. They can review your symptoms and suggest other possible treatments that are safe for you. Keep in mind that certain treatments for erectile dysfunction aren’t safe for people with certain health conditions, including some heart conditions.
Does nebivolol cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases, nebivolol oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time or last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with nebivolol oral tablet include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of nebivolol in detail” section below.
† This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of nebivolol may last.
Side effects of nebivolol in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of nebivolol oral tablet.
Heart block
Heart block has been reported during treatment with nebivolol. This side effect wasn’t seen during the drug’s studies but was reported after it was approved.
With heart block (atrioventricular block), the electrical signals that control your heart’s rhythm are delayed or blocked from reaching the entire heart. This can cause an irregular heartbeat, as well as other complications. This side effect is usually serious.
Heart block may not cause symptoms in all cases. When they do occur, symptoms of heart block include:
- heart palpitations (feeling as though your heart is skipping a beat)
- nausea
- rapid or shallow breathing
Certain factors can increase the risk of heart block with nebivolol oral tablet. These include having a slow or irregular heartbeat.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms or have concerns about heart block, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend making an appointment. This allows them to conduct a physical exam and order tests to further examine your symptoms.
If your doctor determines you’ve developed heart block while taking nebivolol, they’ll likely suggest stopping treatment. They can recommend a plan to safely stop taking the drug and review other treatments for your condition.
Low blood pressure
In studies, low blood pressure was rare in people taking nebivolol oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild but may be serious in rare cases.
Low blood pressure as a side effect of nebivolol isn’t surprising. Nebivolol is prescribed to treat high blood pressure. But it is possible for blood pressure to become too low. Symptoms of low blood pressure include:
- fatigue (low energy)
- feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Orthostatic hypotension is the type of low blood pressure nebivolol may cause. With orthostatic hypotension, your blood pressure drops when standing or sitting up. This can cause dizziness and may lead to fainting, which can cause falls and other injuries.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of low blood pressure, tell your doctor. They may recommend trying a lower nebivolol dose. If this doesn’t work to relieve your symptoms, your doctor may suggest stopping treatment with nebivolol.
Withdrawal effects
Withdrawal effects may occur if nebivolol is stopped suddenly. Withdrawal effects refer to side effects that may occur after stopping a drug. It isn’t clear if withdrawal effects were seen in studies of nebivolol oral tablet.
Withdrawal effects possible after stopping nebivolol treatment include:
Certain factors can increase the risk of withdrawal effects with nebivolol oral tablet. These include having coronary artery disease.
Ways to manage
To help avoid withdrawal effects, it’s important not to suddenly stop taking nebivolol oral tablet. If you and your doctor decide that you’ll stop taking the drug, they’ll recommend a plan to lower your dose over 1–2 weeks before stopping it completely. Your doctor may prescribe a different medication to treat your high blood pressure.
For some people, nebivolol oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to nebivolol oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for nebivolol
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking nebivolol oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take nebivolol oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether nebivolol oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking nebivolol oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Nebivolol and pregnancy
It’s not known whether nebivolol oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. There are risks to using nebivolol during pregnancy. But there are also risks to having untreated high blood pressure during pregnancy. (Nebivolol is prescribed to treat high blood pressure).
If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Nebivolol and breastfeeding
Nebivolol oral tablet should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with nebivolol.
Nebivolol oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with nebivolol oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of nebivolol oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Are the side effects of nebivolol similar to other beta-blockers?
- How do side effects of nebivolol compare with ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril?
- Does my health history increase my risk for side effects if I take nebivolol?
- Do medications I take interact with nebivolol and raise my risk for side effects from taking it?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
